An Acmon blue butterfly, which is distinctive to and common on the Landmarks, nectars on California buckwheat

Ensure butterflies thrive on the Landmarks by participating in stewardship programs

As we approach March and new blooms start to sprout on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, visitors are more likely to spot one of nature’s most fascinating insects, the butterfly. Known for their metamorphosis, butterflies inspire awe and wonder among park visitors. By joining stewardship programs to help increase the native plant population, volunteers can do their part to ensure butterflies prosper on the Landmarks this spring.

Leave the hiking boots at home and experience the Landmarks from a different perspective

Mountain biking programs on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks give nature lovers an opportunity to experience the open spaces on two wheels! Whether riders enjoy a fast-paced journey with steep climbs and descents through mountainous terrain or prefer taking it easy on longer, slow-paced rides through the sycamores, the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks offers versatile trails and scenery. With several mountain biking programs offered at every level, there’s a new adventure around every corner.

Be a helping hand in the fight against invasive weeds by registering for a program on the open spaces

As the weather warms and spring approaches, Orange County residents can look forward to spotting colorful wildflowers across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. However, not all blooms are welcome on the open spaces. Invasive non-native species prevent native plants and wildlife from thriving and decrease the biodiversity that makes the Landmarks so unique. It’s a critical time to remove invasive species that steal nutrients, space, and light from native plant life and threaten local protected wild lands. Nature lovers can join the fight against invasive species by registering for a stewardship program on the Landmarks!

Volunteers are important to the health of the trails and surrounding habitat on the Landmarks.

Register for Trail Restoration programs on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and give back to the local lands

The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks consist of nearly 40,000 acres of biological and geological diverse open spaces and are home to hundreds of species of plants and wildlife. The Landmarks were designated as a Natural Landmark by both the State of California and the U.S. Department of the Interior after scientists identified the landscape as one of the world’s biodiversity “hot spots,” or an area with large concentrations of different species. Volunteers are a vital part of keeping the trails and surrounding habitat healthy for plant life, wildlife, and the enjoyment of visitors for years to come.